Within a dense forest there are ancient trees, their tall figures block out the negligible light from the crescent moon.
Strangely enough, there's no noise except for the trees themselves and the wind that guides them.
No animals scurrying about, no insects chirping or clicking, even the earth seems to radiate a desolate aura.
Total silence pervades this old forest, an eerie silence.
The quiet night is broken by exhausted gasps and hurried footsteps.
"Stop, take a rest. 4 minutes" A stern voice says.
"Major what the fuck happened back there!" One of the gasping men blurts out in frustration.
"God that hellish thing.." A man shivers, he grips his crucifix necklace and makes a silent prayer.
"Holy fuck mate, did you see that thing? It was built like a brick shithouse!" Another man says to the panting man beside him.
"Let's hope we don't run into it again" The man replies solemnly.
"Bessy she.. she's gone!" The frightened woman looks around urgently.
"Don't bother, she isn't coming back. We lost her when it appeared" One of the men says.
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The several men and women gasping for breath go do their best to recover but they're still shaking from fear.
"Major, speak up!" The man is getting impatient.
"General.. you really picked a bad time to visit" The major coughs, pain could be seen in his eyes but his gaze returns to being calm and focused.
"Site 3 has been compromised, we are all that's left. The others well.. you saw what happened"
The General sighs, before he could reply he is interrupted
"Major! look at the trees" One of the men is pointing at a tree.
Everyone shines their lights around them. "They've all gone grey and sickly" A woman gasps.
"It's spreading fast, whatever was in the abyss has begun to escape from it" The major whispers. "When it reaches the surface.. " A resolute expression appears on the majors face.
"General, we need to get to morgue outpost and regroup. We are facing far greater danger than you think! Activation codes for failsafe Day-Light must be secured and transmitted asap.. General, if we fail we'll need to use the box. I'm afraid if that happens, none of you will be leaving anytime soon"
The entire group shudders at the thought.
"Major.. are you sure?" The General asks, worry could be seen in his eyes.
"Certian, let's move! we need to get in touch with HQ!"
The group is startled by a sudden rustling.
"What.. what was that!?" The general was closest to the noise, the lights of all the others shine on him and the surroundings suddenly go quiet. It was bright, too bright for him to see.
As his eyesight adjusts to the light he catches a glimpse of the surrounding soldiers faces. Terror and dispair can be seen.
His chest tightens and his body goes stiff, he feels a faint breathing on neck that makes his hair stand on end. He slowly turns his head, every inch feeling like a mile, sweat drips down his temple like a snake.
Before he could fully turn he head and see what lay behind him darkness consumes his vision along with a faint pain around his neck. The feeling of floating in a moist decay ridden void can be felt as the fading sounds of frightened screams and the crack of gunshots merges into the cold wind until all that was left was.. darkness.